A Potter on Eel Pie Island

For years Eel Pie Island has been a sanctuary for creatives.it is located in the river Thames in Twickenham and has a population of around 120 people. The likes of The Rolling Stones performed at the Eel Pie island hotel during the 1960’s. However, now it has stepped out of the limelight and currently homes a selection of amazing artists. During June and December the artists of Eel Pie Island hold an open studio which is a wonderful opportunity to gain insight into the life of an artist on Eel Pie Island (and of course purchase pieces of art).

Nicky O’Connor is a potter who works in a studio on Eel Pie Island. I interviewed her at one of this year’s open studios to gain insight into how working on the island affected her work.

Q: when did you get into pottery?

A: I first got into pottery a long time ago; it was when I went to college after doing A-level art so I was 18 at the time. I also did it at teacher training collage where I trained to teach ceramics.

Q: have you found it fulfilling?

A: I have, I feel really lucky that I have managed to find a career that I really enjoy. I don’t ever want to stop, I’m seventy years old now and I just want to keep on going because there is always something new.

Q: what is it like to work on the island compared to the city or the countryside?

A: the moment you cross that bridge it is like going on holiday. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere and a wonderful community. Also there are lot of artists, around twenty, nearby which makes it feel even more special.

Q: would you say that the island has offered any inspiration?

A: yeah, because the general feel of the island is more creative and everyone else is creative. But I wouldn’t say that it is the island itself it is more the people on it.

Q: what’s your favourite aspect of pottery?

A: I much prefer the sculptural side of pottery; I’m not so much into the domestic side. My favourite method is Raku, a traditional Japanese method were you heat the glaze to high temperatures then let it cool quickly.

by Mark Gilmour